Formula One to amend safety car rules

Reuters
Thursday 20 May 2010 05:57 EDT
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Formula One's governing body has moved to amend the sport's safety car rules after Michael Schumacher was penalised for an overtaking move at last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement today that there was "a lack of clarity" in the application of a rule prohibiting overtaking when the safety car was deployed on the last lap of a race.

"Adjustments to the regulations are necessary to clarify the procedure that cars must meet when the last lap is controlled by the safety car whilst also ensuring that the signaling for teams and drivers is made more clear," it added.

"The Formula One Commission, upon a proposal of the F1 Sporting Working Group will submit an amendment to the sporting regulations to address this issue."

The FIA said the amendments would be considered by its World Motor Sport Council at a meeting in Geneva on June 23.

Seven times world champion Schumacher overtook Ferrari's Fernando Alonso for sixth place at the final corner of the race moments after the safety car had turned into the pit lane.

The Mercedes driver, making a comeback this season at the age of 41, was then handed a 20 second penalty which demoted him to 12th.

Mercedes had planned to appeal the penalty but said on Tuesday they had decided not to in the best interests of the sport.

The team argued that while the rules state that no overtaking is allowed if a race finishes under safety car conditions, that was not apparent in Monaco with marshals waving green flags while race control sent messages declaring the track to be clear.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in